Centre stands for aged, infirm and poor, says Gehlot

Nellore: Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said that Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana will make life comfortable for senior citizens.

The Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu in presence of Gehlot distributed 3,052 aids and tools to 1,843 senior citizens during national launch of Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Swarna Bharat Trust in Venkatachalam on Saturday.

“Our government will work for poor, old, infirm and will introduce schemes to benefit all sections. Senior citizens would get respect from family members, gain strength and the scheme would also keep families united, said Gehlot. Two districts in each state are selected for implementation of the scheme and in Andhra Pradesh Nellore and Visakhapatnam have been selected, the minister explained.

Addressing the gathering, Venkaiah Naidu said that the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana or National scheme for elderly persons stems from the special interest of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for welfare and opportunities for marginal and under privileged sections like aged, infirm, physically challenged, women, SC/STs, children, OBCs and workers in unorganized sectors.

Highlights:

• Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot launches the old age scheme in Nellore and distributes aids to elderly
• Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu says PM is determined to support the aged at all costs
• PM wants aged to lead a life of dignity and respect, says Venkaiah

“The human body develops many deformities or age-related complications after a certain age. But, poor people cannot purchase equipment or implants necessary to counter those ailments. The scheme is a small measure by which we can discharge our gratitude towards elderly persons who are above 60 from BPL background” he said.

Under the scheme, walking sticks, elbow crutches, walkers/crutches, tripods/quapods, hearing aids, wheelchair, artificial dentures and spectacles will be distributed at free of cost to the beneficiaries selected and 30 per cent of the beneficiaries in each district shall be women.

Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi, AP Health Minister Dr Srinivas, Municipal Minister P Narayana, MPs Rajamohan Reddy, Vara Prasada Rao, ZP Chairman B Raghavendra Reddy, city mayor Abdul Aziz, Collector Mutyala Raju and others were present.